The Best Single Player DLC

With the imminent release of Bioshock Infinite's much anticipated DLC Burial at Sea , it's clear to see that DLC is gaining a higher profile and developers are really starting to experiment with creative and enjoyable content. Therefore, I thought I'd take a look at some of the best single player DLC there is out there.

'Got a light? No, but I have combustible fingers.'

Honourable Mention: Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon

'Don't you just hate traffic on your drive to work.'

Lazers, dinosaurs, cyborgs, 80s music; a spectacular list of awesome things if there ever was one. Well, Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon has them all in abundance, along with an ironic sense of humour which is genuinely amusing. So why is a game that bleeds with an aching cool only getting an honourable mention? It's due to the fact that Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon is a standalone game, which actually doesn't require the original Far Cry 3 to play. All the game shares with Far Cry 3 is its assets and gameplay mechanics, which have been retooled for a neon bathed, retro vision of the future. Therefore, it's questionable as to whether you can actually call it DLC. However, what ever you call Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon, it's clearly a lot of fun and deserves your attention.

5. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dragonborn

'Tame that dragon.'

After Bethesda's first piece of DLC, the infamous 'Horse Armour' for Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, who would have thought that they would go onto to be one of the best developers of DLC. Bethesda have produced a great range of DLC across their titles, including Shivering Isles, Broken Steel and Old World Blues. However, only one allows you to fly a dragon and that is Dragonborn for Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Upon Skyrim's initial release, there were many who wished to be able to interact with the dragons, who were so key to the narrative and concept of the game. With Dragonborn this wish finally came true but it was no one trick pony (or should that be dragon?). There was many new quest lines that added more intrigue and built upon the story of the original game. Along with a whole new area to explore, Dragonborn added many more hours to a game that my friends and I had already played for over 100 hours. It's this value that makes Dragonborn stand out as it gives a lot more of a great game that had already consumed people's lives.

4. Mass Effect 2: Lair of the Shadow Broker

'What do you mean you and Garrus have become close?'

One of the problems of single player DLC is making it matter in regards to main narrative of the game. Many developers opt for DLC that explores a sub-plot, which doesn't affect the story too much. This is understandable as developers don't want gamers who don't get the DLC to feel like their missing key parts of the story. However, Lair of The Shadow Broker managed to tell a story that was both separate to the main story but still meant something and it was all the better for it. Throughout the first two Mass Effect games we had heard about The Shadow Broker and were intrigued by the mystery surrounding them. In this DLC we finally got to meet them in dramatic fashion. However, it's not only the narrative that's dramatic, on this occasion the gameplay fizzles with urgency. We skip between locations, chase fugitives and confront conspirators. All leading us to the Lair of the Shadow Broker. What's great about this DLC is not just the excellent story and gameplay, but the fact that you can return to the Lair of the Shadow Broker and gather intel on your enemies and your allies, absorbing us more into the delectable lore of Mass Effect.

3. Grand Theft Auto IV - Episodes from Liberty City

'You can't have a Grand Theft Auto screenshot without some explosions in it.'

Grand Theft Auto isn't the first type of game you think would need DLC, especially considering its vast open world you can pour hours into. However, this is exactly what Rockstar did with Grand Theft Auto IV by releasing not just one piece of single player DLC, but two; The Lost and the Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony. Neither of these pieces of DLC continued the story of down on his luck immigrant Nico Belic, but rather they followed the story of Johnny Klebitz and Luis Fernando Lopez separately as their stories intertwined with that of Nico's. It was clearly a style Rockstar took a liking to as they continued to develop the theme of multiple protagonists in their masterpiece Grand Theft Auto V. However these titles shouldn't be overlooked, as they didn't just gave us more of the same but refined the original experience. As well as adding additional weapons and vehicles, they added mid mission checkpoints and allowed you to replay missions. In fact, some would argue, especially in the case of The Ballad of Gay Tony, that these episodes were more enjoyable than the original game. The Ballad of Gay Tony added base jumping and helicopters and had more of the open playground approach that was clearly built upon for Grand Theft Auto V.

2. Bioshock 2 - Minerva's Den

'The Thinker knows how to decorate a place.'

Bioshock 2 will forever be overshadowed by the original, despite it excellently refining the gameplay and being just as good. However, the biggest shame about Bioshock 2 is that many would have overlooked the amazing DLC that is Minerva's Den, as it was released several months after Bioshock 2's initial release and after some pretty standard multiplayer DLC. Anyway, Minerva's Den is standalone story in the world of Bioshock 2 that once again puts you into the shoes of a prototype Big Daddy. This time however you're taking out a sentient intelligence known as The Thinker. Not only does this DLC offer up more of the great gameplay, but it tells a captivating story that is arguably more moving than that of the original game. It's unsurprising that some of the developers who worked on this DLC went on to make Gone Home, another great example of storytelling through exploration and audio logs. If this hasn't convinced you, you should at least play Minerva's Den for it's outstanding finale, which delivers both shock and emotion.

1. Red Dead Redemption - Undead Nightmare

'John Marsten wasn't a fan of Thriller routines.'

Rockstar clearly know how to make DLC, but with Undead Nightmare for Red Dead Redemption they really outdid themselves. Undead Nightmare brings together two genres which seem at odds with each other, yet somehow this unique combination seemed to work. Balancing horror and comedy perfectly, Undead Nightmare managed to be both familiar and new at the same time. You used the same gameplay mechanics but you needed to change strategies depending on the enemies your facing. Enemies that posed a real danger, which is refreshing when too many zombie games often use them purely for canon fodder. If you're not careful it's easy to get overrun, especially if you're poor at pulling off headshots. Along with taking place in an open world, there's a real survival aspect to the game, which I believe is key for any good zombie game. In fact, this was such a great zombie game that it was eventually released as a standalone game, which really proves how enduring and spectacular this DLC is.

So what do you think is the best DLC? Have I missed any classics off my list? Let me know in the comments below.